Terrance Yeakey (November 9, 1965 – May 8, 1996) was a sergeant in the Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD). He was one of the first responders at the site of the Oklahoma City bombing, rescuing at least four people. He died a year later by what was ruled as a suicide by gunshot,[1][2] but his manner of death remains disputed.[3]
Terrance Yeakey was born on November 9, 1965. After school years he served in the military and spent time in Saudi Arabia. He joined the OCPD in 1989.[4]
Yeakey played a major role in the rescue and recovery operations following the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City. Yeakey was the first to arrive on the scene that day and saved the lives of four or more people.[2][5]
In honor of his heroic service, Yeakey was scheduled to receive the Medal of Valor from the OCPD a year after the bombing, on May 11, 1996.[4]
Deathedit
On May 8, 1996, three days before he was meant to receive the honors, Yeakey was discovered dead in a field near his hometown, El Reno.[2][5] Yeakey died from a gunshot wound to his head, and was found with cuts on his wrists, arms, and neck. His death was ruled a suicide.[3][1][5] A friend, fellow officer Jim Ramsey, speculated that he might have been driven by guilt over the bombing rescue for his inability to save more people, and his despondency over a troubled family life – he had recently been barred from seeing his two young daughters by his ex-wife.[2][6] However, his ex-wife in an interview said she believed her ex-husband had been murdered and that they were on good terms before his death, even with possible prospects of remarriage.[3]
According to CNN, "among those who knew Terry Yeakey, not many believed he had killed himself." No suicide note was found, and many of Yeakey's family, friends, and fellow policemen believe he was murdered because he was conducting his own independent investigation into the bombing.[3]
Since the bombing, several deaths of survivors have been ruled suicide.[2]
^ ab"Nation IN BRIEF : OKLAHOMA : Officer in Bombing Rescue Found Dead". Los Angeles Times. May 10, 1996. from the original on April 24, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
^ abcdeSerrano, Richard A. (April 27, 1999). "Oklahoma Bombing: Toll Keeps Climbing". Los Angeles Times. from the original on January 10, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
^ abcdLake, Thomas (March 3, 2023). "Why did this cop turn up dead?". CNN. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
^ ab"Terrance E "Terry" Yeakey Obit". www.okcemeteries.net. from the original on April 24, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
^ abcAssociated Press (May 11, 1996). "A Policeman Who Rescued 4 in Bombing Kills Himself". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. from the original on March 18, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
^"Reluctant Hero of the Oklahoma City Bombing Commits Suicide". AP NEWS. from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
External linksedit
Airplane crash ruled suicide – Article about death of Army recruiter who survived the bombing
January 01, 1970
terrance, yeakey, november, 1965, 1996, sergeant, oklahoma, city, police, department, ocpd, first, responders, site, oklahoma, city, bombing, rescuing, least, four, people, died, year, later, what, ruled, suicide, gunshot, manner, death, remains, disputed, bor. Terrance Yeakey November 9 1965 May 8 1996 was a sergeant in the Oklahoma City Police Department OCPD He was one of the first responders at the site of the Oklahoma City bombing rescuing at least four people He died a year later by what was ruled as a suicide by gunshot 1 2 but his manner of death remains disputed 3 Terrance YeakeyBorn 1965 11 09 November 9 1965DiedMay 8 1996 1996 05 08 aged 30 Cause of deathGunshotOccupationPolice sergeantKnown forRescue at OKC bombing Contents 1 Biography 2 Death 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksBiography editTerrance Yeakey was born on November 9 1965 After school years he served in the military and spent time in Saudi Arabia He joined the OCPD in 1989 4 Yeakey played a major role in the rescue and recovery operations following the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building on April 19 1995 in Oklahoma City Yeakey was the first to arrive on the scene that day and saved the lives of four or more people 2 5 In honor of his heroic service Yeakey was scheduled to receive the Medal of Valor from the OCPD a year after the bombing on May 11 1996 4 Death editOn May 8 1996 three days before he was meant to receive the honors Yeakey was discovered dead in a field near his hometown El Reno 2 5 Yeakey died from a gunshot wound to his head and was found with cuts on his wrists arms and neck His death was ruled a suicide 3 1 5 A friend fellow officer Jim Ramsey speculated that he might have been driven by guilt over the bombing rescue for his inability to save more people and his despondency over a troubled family life he had recently been barred from seeing his two young daughters by his ex wife 2 6 However his ex wife in an interview said she believed her ex husband had been murdered and that they were on good terms before his death even with possible prospects of remarriage 3 According to CNN among those who knew Terry Yeakey not many believed he had killed himself No suicide note was found and many of Yeakey s family friends and fellow policemen believe he was murdered because he was conducting his own independent investigation into the bombing 3 Since the bombing several deaths of survivors have been ruled suicide 2 See also editTrauma and first responders Suicide and trauma Terrorism in the United StatesReferences edit a b Nation IN BRIEF OKLAHOMA Officer in Bombing Rescue Found Dead Los Angeles Times May 10 1996 Archived from the original on April 24 2021 Retrieved March 16 2020 a b c d e Serrano Richard A April 27 1999 Oklahoma Bombing Toll Keeps Climbing Los Angeles Times Archived from the original on January 10 2023 Retrieved January 10 2023 a b c d Lake Thomas March 3 2023 Why did this cop turn up dead CNN Retrieved March 4 2023 a b Terrance E Terry Yeakey Obit www okcemeteries net Archived from the original on April 24 2021 Retrieved March 17 2020 a b c Associated Press May 11 1996 A Policeman Who Rescued 4 in Bombing Kills Himself The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Archived from the original on March 18 2020 Retrieved March 16 2020 Reluctant Hero of the Oklahoma City Bombing Commits Suicide AP NEWS Archived from the original on April 21 2021 Retrieved April 21 2021 External links editAirplane crash ruled suicide Article about death of Army recruiter who survived the bombing Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Terrance Yeakey amp oldid 1204229021, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
